Middle School

Five Things To Know About MPA From Hannah L.

March 27, 2025

Hannah in the Middle School performance of "Little Women"PreK-12 life, teachers who care, a 32-acre campus, and more–read about Hannah’s MPA experience through her top five things to know!

1. We are a PreK-12 school.

We are able to connect with students much older than us and younger than us. It helps us learn leadership skills since we see much younger kids throughout the hallways. Having older students in the building sets examples for us to be the best version of ourselves.

2. We are able to have great student-teacher relationships.

Because of the small class sizes, teachers are able to meet with students on an individual level. They really get to know each and every one of us to help us learn better. Teachers at MPA are always available to offer support.

3. You’re able to pursue your passions.

MPA offers a lot of different extracurriculars for you to choose from. It’s great because you get to do what you enjoy and maybe try something new that you may end up loving, including sports, clubs, and more. I personally love to do lots of theater along with choir and orchestra. Read More

Eid Mubarak, Honoring Eid al-Fitr, And Celebrating Inclusion At MPA

March 27, 2025

MPA's Iftar celebration in the Family Commons. from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we approach the joyous celebration of Eid al-Fitr, I’d like to reflect on the significance of this holiday and the shared values it uplifts—especially within our Mounds Park Academy community. Eid marks the end of Ramadan, a month of fasting, prayer, self-reflection, and compassion. It is a time for gratitude, generosity, and joyful connection—values that resonate deeply with our mission and culture at MPA.

Here at MPA, we strive to cultivate a school where every student, family, and faculty member feels respected and celebrated. Our diversity is one of our greatest strengths—it creates a vibrant environment for learning, growth, and deeper understanding. Celebrating cultural and religious traditions, such as Eid al-Fitr, is essential to fostering an inclusive community and honoring the unique identities of all who make up MPA.

On Tuesday evening, I had the privilege of joining over 100 members of our community—students, families, and faculty—for Iftar, the meal to break the fast at sunset. This beautiful evening was organized by our Upper School Muslim Student Association and MPA art teacher, Samah Fahmy. Students shared their beliefs, sang the call to prayer, and led the Maghrib prayer before we all enjoyed a delicious potluck meal together. I was truly honored to be part of such a meaningful celebration of faith, culture, and togetherness. Read More

The Right School Fit

March 19, 2025

Two middle schoolers working together and laughingThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 22 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

As parents ourselves, we realize that a child’s educational journey only happens once, and that the goal is to find a place where they will love learning, be challenged, feel supported, and continue to be inspired.

We also understand that choosing the right private school fit for your family is a big decision. You’re balancing the importance of finding a community that aligns with your family’s values, a school’s academic and educational approach, the opportunities and offerings, and the overall feelings you have.

The “right school” will mean something different for every family. But above all, your children should feel seen, supported, and empowered at school. Whether it’s through experiential learning or myriad extracurricular opportunities, a warm, inclusive community or a small class size, a school’s culture has a significant role in shaping your child’s confidence, curiosity, and sense of belonging. You’re considering all of these things to ensure your child finds a school community where they will truly thrive.

As you and your family navigate the school selection process, we encourage you to explore our blog post, “Ten Things To Consider When Choosing A Private School.” Through insights from our current community members, this article will help you explore the cultural, communal, and pedagogical aspects that matter most when choosing a private school.

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Five Things To Know About MPA From Ford B.

March 13, 2025

Ford with friends at the middle school talent showMiddle School student Ford B. shares five key things about his MPA experience, including discovering passions, finding his place here, and skills he’s built upon.

1. Everyone is super welcoming.

I joined MPA last year for my seventh-grade year. On the first day, I was afraid to make new friends, until my first class, and someone asked me to sit next to them. It instantly made me feel more at ease.

2. You can try new clubs and sports.

I had heard the Nordic team was fun, but I had never done it before. I still gave it a shot, and it’s now one of my favorite things I do. And now I’m in the school play, which I haven’t done before, but I’m giving it a shot.

3. Homework builds strong skills.

Homework here may be different from other schools, but over time, it became easier once I learned to plan out my homework load and do my best not to procrastinate. Read More

MPA Host Families Needed!

March 7, 2025

A MPA host family. We are so fortunate to welcome international students from around the world to MPA through our International Student Program. A $10,200 per student stipend is paid to host families to cover the cost of room, board, and transportation from August to June. Typically, families host for at least one full year and sometimes for a student’s entire MPA experience. As you warmly welcome this student into your home, you will gain a first-hand understanding of another culture, a lifelong relationship with your students, and so much more.

If you are interested …
Contact Cory Becker-Kim, international student program director, at international@moundsparkacademy.org or 651-748-5541. Get started on the host family application form here.

If you know someone outside our community who is interested …
Please share mpa.link/host with them. When they reach out, share your name, and become an approved host family, you will receive a $200 referral bonus in the form of a Visa gift card.

Thank you in advance for your interest and/or for recommending this opportunity to your friends, neighbors, and colleagues.

Register For MPA Summer Sports Camps!

March 6, 2025

Lower School student playing basketballRegistration is open for our annual Summer Panther Sports Camps! Check out our offerings below:

  • Panther Soccer Camp: June 9-12, 9-11:30 AM
    Soccer lovers in grades K-6 can join Mr. Sheehan and the MPA soccer coaches for a fun and challenging week of activities for all abilities! Bring a friend!
  • Panther Basketball Camp: June 9-12, 12:30-3 PM 
    MPA’s basketball coach, Chris Hopkins, will run these basketball camps for students in kindergarten through eighth grade. The emphasis will be on shooting, ball handling, and fundamentals for all skill levels.
  • Panther P.E. Summer Camp: June 16-19, 9-11 AM for kindergarten-second grade, 1-3 PM for third through sixth grade
    Panther P.E. Camp offers a friendly space for students of all athletic abilities to participate in a mix of some of the students’ favorite P.E. activities and games.

Register for all of these incredible offerings and see what other offerings we’ll have this summer by clicking here!

Coming Together With Kindness, Generosity, And Community

March 6, 2025

MPA's development and community engagement team providing an update on the spring auction. from Ashley Goetzke, director of development and community engagement

Editor’s Note: Periodically, you will find a guest Head’s Message here from members of the administrative team. We hope you will enjoy reading their thoughts and reflections about life at MPA.

When I started at Mounds Park Academy, it was the week of the 2016 MPA Spring Auction: Night at the Museum. I was immediately immersed in the energy and excitement of this incredible event. The development office buzzed with anticipation, but more than anything, I felt a profound sense of togetherness, the kind that defines MPA.

Experiencing my first Spring Auction was unlike anything I had been part of before. I was thrown into the whirlwind of planning, met incredible people, and saw firsthand what makes MPA so special. That night, I went home to my husband, Matt, and told him, “This is where I want to be.” That feeling of warmth, generosity, and joy has stayed with me ever since.

For me, the Spring Auction is, above all, about community. It is an evening where parents, alumni, employees, grandparents, and friends come together in celebration and support of our students and the future of MPA. It is a night filled with laughter, generosity, and the shared love we all have for this school. Read More

The Joy Of Being A PreK-12 Family

March 5, 2025

Student performers at Remember The TimeThis message is from MPA’s Office of Admission from the March 9 issue of Inside MPA. Click here to get in touch with Admission and learn more!

To close out the month of February, we gathered together in the Family Commons for “Remember the Time: A Black History Month Showcase.” The event was a wonderful reflection of connections forged between students of all ages–a distinctly PreK-12 experience.

Ahead of the event, students were immersed in research, combining prior knowledge with new findings and growing their appreciation and understanding. Older students mentored younger ones, guiding them through these discoveries, while they brought fresh perspectives that reminded us all of the joy in curiosity.

Then, the evening opened with a gallery-style viewing of student work displayed throughout campus. In Lower School, a model of the historic Tremé neighborhood in New Orleans and Basquiat-inspired artwork. In Middle School, educational videos describing biographies of influential inventors, scholars, activists, and artists. In Upper School, the halls were lined with a timeline of Black History in America. And so much more. Read More

Middle School Division News February 27, 2025

February 27, 2025

Two Middle School students working together in science.from Paul Errickson, Middle School director

Mark Your Calendars 

  • Friday, February 28: SnoDaze Week
  • Friday, February 28: G3-G12 SnoDaze Assembly, 2:20-3 PM, Lansing Sports Center
  • Monday, March 3-Friday, March 7: MS i-Term
  • Tuesday, March 4: MS/US Girls Basketball Banquet, 5:30-7 PM, Family Commons
  • Friday, March 7: i-Term Showcase of Learning, 2:30-3 PM, Family Commons, Middle School Hallways and Classrooms
  • Monday, March 10-Friday, March 21: No Classes, Spring Break

Greetings, families, and happy (almost) March! We are so excited around the Middle School for our upcoming i-Term next week; you can feel the excitement in the air. Busses are ordered, bags are packed, and we’ve got museums and cemeteries around the Twin Cities waiting for our students to come and learn. With folks going as far away as New York City, Quebec City, and the Boundary Waters, and others learning here in our Makerspace and Wizarding School, we are so excited for all 12 of our courses this year. Read More

Navigating an Uncertain Future: Preparing Our Students to Thrive in a Changing World

February 26, 2025

Upper School students watch on during Physics bridge testing. from Dr. Bill Hudson, head of school

As we step into 2025, we do so in a world of increasing complexity and uncertainty. The latest World Economic Forum Global Risks Report paints a sobering picture of the challenges ahead—rising geopolitical tensions, rapid technological disruptions, environmental instability, and a growing crisis of misinformation. For us as educators and parents, this begs an essential question: How do we best prepare our children not only to navigate this landscape but to flourish within it?

At MPA, we believe that preparing students for the future is not about predicting what’s to come but about equipping them with the skills, knowledge, and resilience to adapt, innovate, and lead with purpose. It is about fostering critical thinkers, compassionate citizens, and confident problem solvers—young people who are ready to embrace the world rather than retreat from it.

In an age where misinformation spreads faster than truth, helping our students develop critical thinking and media literacy is one of the most important responsibilities we have. Today’s children are bombarded with information from countless sources—social media, news outlets, influencers, and AI-generated content. Learning to question, analyze, and discern fact from fiction is a fundamental skill they will need for life. Read More